Elizabeth Edginton
College CounsellorI’m Elizabeth Edginton, the College Counsellor at Somerville. As a Somerville student, you can contact me to arrange a 45 minute, one-to-one session to discuss any emotional or mental health issues you might be having, in an impartial, confidential setting, where we can think together about what is happening and understand how best to move forward.
Sessions take place during Weeks 0-9 on Wednesdays, in person, or on Teams, in exceptional circumstances.
I’m a fully qualified and experienced psychotherapist specialising in working with young people, but am happy to see students of all ages. I have worked in the NHS and universities for over 10 years, both clinically and in research, and prior to that, was an academic. I started as the College Counsellor at Somerville in Michaelmas 2023 and also work at the central University Counselling Service.
Whether you’re a fresher adjusting to being at Oxford or a DPhil student working on your thesis, it can be helpful to have a space that is separate from the rest of Oxford life to talk through and think about any issues that you might be having. If you have questions or would like to arrange a session, please email me on college.counsellor@some.ox.ac.uk
If you feel that you are at risk, please ensure that you make an urgent GP appointment, see the College Nurse, call NHS 111, or in case of emergency, go to Accident and Emergency at the hospital or call 999. Please also see the crisis contact numbers at: Emergency contacts | University of Oxford
Clare Finch
Deputy Director of Development (Operations)Clare manages the day-to-day operations of the Development and Alumni Relations team, orchestrating high-level campaign events and overseeing Somerville’s stewardship programme for donors..
Alex Fox
Estates OperativeJohn Franklin
Lodge General AssistantMohini Gupta
Junior DeanHello! I am Mohini, a DPhil student at the Faculty of Oriental Studies. My research work is on the politics of language in South Asia. I worked with a higher education institute for women in India before joining Oxford and have a Master’s in Cultural Studies from SOAS University of London. I am excited to start my journey at Somerville College as Junior Dean and can’t wait to meet the diverse community of students at the College!
I have undertaken the following training for my role as Junior Dean:
- First Aid Training offer by St John’s Ambulance
- Junior Deans Training offered by the University Counselling Service
- Sexual Violence Awareness and Disclosures offered by the Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre
- Health and Safety Training – Somerville Lodge Porters
- Defibrillator Training – Somerville Lodge Porters
- Fire Evacuation Training – Somerville Lodge Porters
- Data Protection and Security Awareness Training – Information Services
- Welfare Policy and Procedures – Student Welfare Lead
- College Rules and Procedures – Decanal Officer
Lisa Gygax
Joint Secretary of the Somerville AssociationLisa Gygax (1987, PPE) has been Liz Cooke’s ‘apprentice’ since 2014. In her role as joint Secretary to the Alumni Association she shares Liz’s keen interest in the myriad of pursuits that Somervillians get up to after leaving Oxford. Her role extends to stewarding our various alumni networks.
Anna Hart
Second GardenerAnna’s first career was in infrastructure and security, where she acted as a freelance project manager for multiple government bodies and FTSE 500 companies. Thirteen years ago, she decided to turn her lifelong passion for gardening into a second career, retraining at Jesus College, Oxford.
Anna has since worked in several large estate gardens, including Dorney Court and Denham Place, as well as offering freelance garden design and consultancy. At Somerville, she looks forward to supporting Head Gardener Alistair Malick in bringing the Somerville gardens into the 21st century, whilst delivering a beautiful and sustainable garden (featuring as many alpine plants and clipped shrubs as possible in order to fulfil her passion for niwaki/bonsai and mountain plants).
I have a passion for alpines and niwaki / bonsai training of plants (topiary to the uninitiated)
Prior to retraining –
Delivering at Somerville –